Well, my rough outline for this chapter only gave me a few things I had to get done in order to keep the plot on schedule. So I've decided to treat everyone to some Leon/Cloud fun! Yay! *beams*
Oh yes, and the A/N at the bottom of the chapter is mildly important, if you'd care to take a look after your read. Enjoy!
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One for the Band - Chapter Thirteen
'Ci-ci-ci--What?' (Side story?)
April 27--
Okay, so Paine gave me this notebook, right? Riiiight. I don't know what on earth I'm supposed to write in it. Is it supposed to be like a journal? Why would I want to ruin Paine's notebook by writing stupid crap in it?
See? It's already happening.
...
....
I honestly don't know how to use this thing.
...
....
My pencil just broke.
... Maybe that's why Riku always writes with pens.
Oh! I can write about Riku!
... No, not really. He's awesome, what else can I say?
That's probably the main reason I don't want to go visit my dad. Other then the fact that he's a total self-centered bastard and all, he probably doesn't know I'm gay. He probably wouldn't want to find out anyway, and if I was forced to visit, chances are I'd somehow manage to let something slip. Mom says I should give him a chance. I say he should just forget about it.
I'm going over to Riku's house tonight to work on my geometry homework.
Mom's convinced I'm going to return home without my virginity.
She's so weird.
~~~~~~~
Cloud let out another aggravated sigh, his blonde hair sticking up at an odd angle as he leaned against the window of the car. Driving with Leon was quite possibly the most boring thing he could ever imagine getting stuck doing. There was no music, there was no talking, there was no speeding, no broken rules... Just that consistent whirr of the engine of the car, pushing the heavy machine forward as though is were merely a toy.
"Le-onnnn..."
"What?" Well, at least he didn't sound too aggravated.
"Why do I have to come with you to reserve all the damn boat tickets?" Cloud seemed to think about his own words for a moment before scowling. "What's more, why didn't Cid get the tickets himself? We're drum majors, not teachers!"
Leon simply rolled his eyes as he made a left turn, plunging both teenagers into the most urban location Destiny Islands had to offer. Office buildings and apartment complexes jutted up abruptly from the concrete ground, puncturing the sky's veil rather unceremoniously, shopping centers springing up everywhere Cloud looked. The whole thing reminded him of some sick and disturbing strip mall wasteland from hell.
What was it doing on Destiny Islands anyway?
Cloud had been so busy thinking to himself that he'd almost completely missed Leon's response, and hadn't even realized it until he'd been drawn back into reality by the brunette's voice. Come on, that voice could drag Satan himself back out of hell.
"I told Cid we'd take care of it because he has his own issues to deal with. He's booking hotels and finishing up his practice sessions with the soloists... Besides, you know you weren't doing anything today."
Cloud frowned, rolling his blue eyes skyward. "I'm sure I could've come up with something if I'd have known I'd be spending my day driving around with the human statue. Ya know, Leon, for all that you're stone, you sure don't have a lead foot at all. Can't you go any faster?"
"Speed in your own car, Strife. I'd rather not get a ticket today, thanks."
The blonde groaned, gritting his teeth together viciously to keep from snapping again at Leon. Arguing with the other drum major was like trying to argue with a banana peel. There was absolutely no logic to doing it whatsoever.
"C-c-c-cinnamon lips and candy kisses on my tongue!
B-b-b-buttery lies, if only cries could come from those eyes...
Have you landed yet and if so would you let me know?
I'm tired of looking up into those starry eyes."
"What the hell are you listening to, Cloud?" Leon made a face and actually looked away from the stoplight ahead of him, turning to give the blonde a pointed glare.
However, rather then buckling under the force of the brunette's death glare, Cloud simply shock his friend a devious smirk, cranking the volume knob on the car's radio around, blaring music through the speakers and singing loudly along.
"Does it rain where you are, does it snow?
And if so, remind me not to go there.
The weather effects my knee.
I've ne-ver felt this way be--"
Cloud scowled as the radio was song was cut off mid-verse, a rather peeved looking Leon now clutching at the steering wheel as he navigated his way around the downtown area, searching for a parking spot as close to the docks as he could find.
Alright, Leon, you want to make this difficult? I'll make it difficult.
"You know, my dad told me this interesting story the other night. You know that president..? Old what's-his-face? Ah, you know, that guy. With that little Scottie dog. Roosevelt! Yeah, that's the one. Anyway, he was talking about planning some mission or something with a bunch of his high-and-mighty buddies and one of them started crying because a friend of his had died in a recent attack. They were showing pictures of the attack on the country and everything at the meeting, so it figures the poor guy couldn't handle it. So the president nods and lets the guy leaves, and the meeting eventually starts to disband, but he holds this one other guy back and just says, 'Now I know why the boys all called him Betty.' Don't you think that was mean of him, Leon? My dad told me that and it just ruined my day. I can't believe that the idiots who run the world could be so cold-hearted and... Leon? Um... Leon? You can't park here, it's illegal."
"The car. Get. Out. Of. The. Car."
"He-ey, what are you talking about? Oh, come on, Leon, grow a spine already, I was just joking! I'll shut up, seriously!"
"Out."
"Leon!"
But the next thing Cloud knew, he was standing on the sidewalk of the city, watching moodily as Leon's car moved back into the lane of traffic. Oddly enough, Cloud didn't feel at all panicked. More like just plain old depressed.
The city surrounding him seemed cold and unforgiving, and all Cloud saw as he walked along the streets was his reflection staring back at him through store windows. He didn't take notice of the hordes of people moving about him and he ignored the rude comments flung his way as businessmen and workers of all ages bustled past him. Everyone had places to be and things to do. There was no time for the random blonde kid who had just lost his ride home because he was trying to be friendly.
Okay, let's face it. I was trying to be more then friendly... But as usual, Cloud's plans had backfired. It was as though every time he got Leon alone, and every time he knew exactly what to say and do... It was just like it all flitted away just when the right moment had presented itself.
Cloud groaned and plopped down on a bench, alone, as usual. Glancing at the bus schedule on the post beside him, it looked as though Cloud was in for an hour long wait. Great. Just fucking great.
Had he really done anything all that wrong?
~~~~~~~
Leon walked out of the small building perched by the docks, running a hand through dark brown tendrils of hair and letting out a deep sigh. Booking the tickets on the boat had been no problem. He now had all the needed paperwork and everything was perfect. Then again, if someone gave Leon a job, they were almost always assured a perfect outcome.
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
If Leon was so perfect, why did he feel so guilty?
It really wasn't all that hard to figure.
Making his way back towards his car, Leon continued fabricating excuses to satisfy his own conscience, which had been nagging him since he'd kicked Cloud out of the car only forty minutes ago.
It probably would've taken twice as long if he'd come along.
So then why did I bring him with me in the first place?
Because Cloud needs to learn some responsibility. Obviously he's just not ready to handle anything yet other then changing radio stations and being a general dumbass.
A loveable dumbass.
Leon grit his teeth together stubbornly as he buckled his seatbelt and started the car. He wasn't guilty. Of course not. After all, it wasn't like it was Leon's fault that Cloud was just immature. How had the blonde managed to become a drum major anyway? Leon was the one who did all the work. It was Leon who spent all the time after school practicing and working his ass off. All Cloud did was... Well, all Cloud did was...
Okay, all Cloud did was watch Leon.
And it was obvious to anyone that Cloud had had a crush on the other boy since, oh, probably his freshman year. It was obvious, and still Leon kept denying it. Cloud watched him because he didn't know what he himself was doing. He was just confused, so he watched Leon so he could learn from him. Lots of people did it, why not Cloud?
"Leon!"
"What?"
"Hey, wait up already! Jeeze, I've been chasing you down for the past two blocks. You okay?"
"Yeah."
"So... Whaddya think about Riku and Sora?"
"What about them?"
"Hey, you gotta admire their guts. I mean, you know, standing up against everyone like that."
"I think you were the one who stood up for them, Cloud."
"Well someone had to do something! ...But I think they just handle it pretty well. ...Don't you?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Uncaring bastard."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind."
Leon did not feel guilty. Leon never felt guilty, nor did he apologize. Mostly because he did not screw things up. He got them right the first time around and there were no redo's. Cloud would just have to fix this himself.
"Now what do you want?"
"Nothing... Why do you always think I want something?"
"Because you always do."
"You're right. I do want something."
"Well then what is it, Strife?"
"...Um... Nevermind."
Leon hated that word. Nevermind. It was so vague and... and it always seemed to cut conversation off. But then again, Leon didn't much care for conversation.
"Haha! We did it! Drum majors Leon and Cloud here to wreck havoc upon local high school's marching band! Yay!"
"Get off me."
Leon was jolted out of his thoughts as he heard a nearby driver cursing at him loudly. Wait a minute, since when was Leon pulled over at the side of the street? He must have just zoned out while driving... It had never happened before, but there's always a first time for everything.
And before Leon could pull back into the lane of traffic, he looked up and happened to catch a patch of blonde hair contrasting sharply against the brown and gray hues of the city.
Cloud, of course.
The blonde was sitting on a bench, arms crossed in front of him, head tilted and leaning against the back of the bench, staring up at the sky. His gaze wasn't wistful, it wasn't longing. The look in his eyes was not one of despair or grief. It was just a look and nothing more. Cloud was observing, he wasn't looking at or for anything in particular.
Well, duh. Cloud wasn't exactly going to find what he was looking for in the sky. What he was looking for was only ten yards away and he didn't even realize it.
And then the rain started to fall from the sky, but the sun was still shining. Even the sky denies the rain, forcing the sun to shine on through it. But the rest of the world can feel the rain... Why bother trying to conceal it by forcing light right on though? A little rain must fall in every life, right?
The bus pulled past Leon's car, drawing to a sluggish pace and pulling to a stop in front of Cloud's bench, now surrounded by more people all rushing to form a rough line in front of the bus. All except Cloud, who slowly pulled himself up from the bench as though he were walking towards his own death. And Leon could definitely feel something was wrong. And it wasn't just the sun and rain sharing the same sky.
~~~~~~~
I remember the first time I saw Riku pick up that stupid instrument. I really shouldn't call it stupid. He loves the trumpet, you know. (I hope he loves me more!)
But he looked so happy and sure of himself even though I bet he had no clue what he was doing. Riku's the only person who can seem to do that... You know, make decisions and not bother with second chances. He doesn't need them anyway.
~~~~~~~
"Cloud!" Leon was going insane, he knew it.
He'd known it from the moment he had lunged out of his car, the craziest thoughts running through his mind a mile a minute. What would Leon do if something happened to Cloud? If the bus got in an accident and he never saw Cloud again? What would he do if he didn't have another chance?
Cloud couldn't hear Leon's voice, lost amidst the patter of rain hitting the concrete and the loud droning of voices and cars combined, the typical urban orchestra at work. Hand grasping the cold metal railing, he numbly stepped up into the bus.
Perhaps Leon wasn't coming after all.
~~~~~~~
He had a solo one year. Well, okay, it wasn't a solo. He and three other trumpeters played it at a blitzball game. I can't remember the name of it... But I think it was something like the Fire Dance. Whatever it was, I guess that was when I realized just how good Riku was.
He does something a lot of people don't do. He actually puts feeling into whatever music he plays. You can tell by the way he looks when he plays... It's like he could stay there for the rest of his life and he would be okay. It would all be fine if Riku got his trumpet and if he could just play.
~~~~~~~
"Cloud!!"
~~~~~~~
I hope that confidence Riku has never leaves.
~~~~~~~
Leon's feet hit the sidewalk, but he didn't stop running. Everyone was on the bus, they were going to close the doors. And to add more evidence to Leon's growing belief that he was losing his mind, the only thing he could think of was the old little nursery rhyme.
Run, run, run as fast as you can...
Come on, Leon. Just a few more steps. That door won't close without you. Cloud won't leave without you because Cloud is always there. He will never leave.
~~~~~~~
I sound like such a lovesick puppy.
~~~~~~~
But the door did close. In Leon's mind he was fast enough, he opened the door and he pulled Cloud out of there, bringing him back where he belonged. Bringing Cloud back to Leon. But Leon's didn't imagine things the way they turned out, and he was shocked to find the metallic sides of the bus pulling away right in front of his eyes, carrying Cloud inside.
What if something happened?
Had things really gotten to the point where Leon was going to be uneasy if Cloud was ever out of his sight?
Didn't Cloud need to learn to be responsible?
Not without Leon, he didn't.
~~~~~~~
But come on, I mean, get real. It's pretty damn obvious.
~~~~~~~
And perhaps if Leon had been more willing, he could've made it to the next bus stop. He could have gotten on the bus and sat next to Cloud. He could have surprised the blonde and he could have seen that brilliant grin and those amazing eyes.
But he was just standing there.
Waiting at a bus stop in the rain and sunshine.
~~~~~~~
I really do love him.
~~~~~~~
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Yep, short chapter, I know. Bad Ori, bad! Yes, yes, okay. Well here's the deal. BAND TRIP IS WEDNESDAY. Yikes. You all know what this means? This means, my dear readers, that Sunday afternoon will be entirely devoted to writing One for the Band. Because I'm basing the events in this fic off of real life events (yes, that does mean that Pretty Princess laps exist, everyone), my band trip will be the inspiration for the fictional band trip... That'll take most of the remaining chapters.
That means that One for the Band is almost done.
I'm afraid. I am very, very afraid indeed.
To keep from babbling on too much, I'll try and keep this somewhat short. Yes, I know this chapter was short. I just wanted to use a little Leon and Cloud as inspiration. In case you didn't know, the italics throughout the end part of the chapter is Sora's writing. I thought it tied in well.
There will be a second part to this chapter. It won't be in the next chapter, but it will have a part two. The song used is "Cinnamon Lips" by OK Go. That song is friggin awesome. ^^ It will also return in the second part of this chapter.
Now then, there will not be another update until next Sunday. I know, I know, I've been slacking and all I reward you guys with is a six page side-story. *bows head in shame* Forgiiiive me. I will make it all better.
Please note however, that the Fire Dance mentioned in this chapter is also based off of real life. If you'll give me a moment to drabble on about my school's trumpeters, I shall say that they are absolutely amazing. The Fire Dance is composed of three or four trumpeters and the tune for it is amazing. Everyone goes dead silent when they play. It's awesome to watch and listen to them perform. Yes, I am a band geek. Guffah.
~Ori